Louise Jameson believes that stopping dyeing her hair helped her land a role in Emmerdale.
The 70-year-old star made her first appearance in the ITV soap on Tuesday night (01.03.22) as Mary, mother of Rhona Goskirk, and she believes the acceptance of her naturally white locks has given her career a boost.
She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “It’s extraordinary, but since I stopped dyeing my hair I’ve literally had a ton of work. I’ve had eight or nine offers,” says Louise.
“I thought it would be the opposite, but no, the work has actually expanded for me. Some actors try to look younger and do it brilliantly, but I think if there is an air of desperation about clinging to your youth, then that limits the casting opportunities.
“I’m very happy to be 70, to be able to let my hair go white and not have to resort to Botox. I think you have to accept age naturally.”
The former EastEnders actress – who previously played Rosa di Marco in the BBC show – admitted she never had any plans for her retirement.
She explained: “My father was an insurance broker and sold life insurance. I remember him saying, ‘We really need to get you a pension.’ And I said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll work until I die.’
“That was back when I was 20. I never planned on retiring. Now I write and direct, so I have my fingers in a lot of things.”
Louise, who appeared on Emmerdale as the soap’s first murder victim 50 years ago, was keen to ensure that her new character Mary was not an old person who was simply “portrayed in cardigans and with walkers”.
She added: “I wanted to talk to Emmerdale about it when I went to chat. But before I could catch my breath, they gave me an overview of where she was going and that made me pause. It was better than anything I could have come up with.”
